Friends of KIPP Austin gathered at St. David's Episcopal Church on March 21 for our annual event to honor those who have given generously to our school.  We were honored to feature speakers Mike Feinberg, the co-founder of KIPP, Dr. Ed Sharpe of the Department of Educational Administration at UT Austin, and Sofia Martinez, a 6th grade student.

 

Sofia brought the room to tears as she shared her experience emigrating from Honduras three years ago, and both Dr. Sharpe and Feinberg encouraged our guests to reflect upon the impact an expanded KIPP school network could have on closing the achievement gap in education.

 

We also honored our former and exiting Board of Directors members who have given so much to KIPP Austin, including: Monica Cravotta, President of Bolder Communications; Laurie Logue, Senior Vice President of Comerica Bank; Lance Sallis, Managing Director of Trammell Crow Company; and Bill Snell, CEO of Snell Motor Company.

While KIPP Austin staff will be sad to see our second class of 8th graders go, we are thrilled by their acceptances to competitive high schools across the nation.

 

Cristina Paz, an 8th grade student in her first year at KIPP Austin, has been accepted to St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin.  Cristina chose to apply to St. Stephen's because she believes the school will continue to prepare her for college at either Harvard or Yale University, where she hopes to study to become an immigration lawyer.

 

In 2006, KIPP Austin's first class of 8th grade students graduated and are now attending top high schools, such as St. Andrew's Episcopal School, St. Michael's Catholic Academy, The Cate School, Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Stephen's. 

 

Two of our talented and dedicated teachers have been tapped by the Leadership Pathways Program, a highly selective training program for future KIPP School leaders, in preparation for their roles as assistant principals in the 2007-08 year.  Both Freddy Gonzalez, 8th Grade Level Chair and English Language Arts teacher, and Katie Hayes, 7th Grade Level Chair and Social Studies teacher, will spend the summer at Stanford University completing instructional and organizational training in conjunction with the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute.

 

"I am excited to be taking on a leadership role at KIPP Austin and to have the opportunity to work with all our students, not just 8th graders.  The summer program will give us many new ideas about how to best serve our students," said Freddy.

 

Congratulations, Freddy and Katie!

 

 

KIPP Austin's 05-06 Annual Report continues to garner acclaim, most recently receiving a Gold Addy award in the Collateral Material Category. 

 

This would not have been possible without the generosity of Kirk Tuck, of Kirk R. Tuck Photography, and Sherry Matthews Advocacy Marketing, who for the third year in a row provided their photographic and design services completely pro bono.

 

 

The nutritional component of KIPP Austin's highly-regarded Health and Fitness for Life program is taking off!  After transforming school breakfasts, lunches and snacks this fall, Child Nutrition Manager Melissa Wilbanks began teaching our students about health through the Wellness News Board in the cafeteria and mini-lessons during lunchtime that include the menu for the week and fun food facts.  KIPPsters also have enjoyed field trips to local farms.  As a result, our students are beginning to understand the connection between food and their bodies as well as food and their community.

 

In addition, the newly formed Garden Club will soon break ground for our organic garden.  This plot of land in the school's courtyard will feature a vegetable garden, an herb garden and a butterfly garden with flowers such as Black-Eyed Susans and Purple Coneflowers.

 

To learn more about KIPP Austin's garden and nutrition program, please contact Elizabeth Wilmer at ewilmer@kippaustinprep.org.

Thank you for your continued support of KIPP Austin.  Together we can help our children climb the mountain to college!

 

Sincerely,